Wire winder

ABSTRACT

A tractor mountable winder employs a variable speed hydraulic motor system which permits braking of the winding reel when material is payed out therefrom, as well as positive drive of the reel in a direction to wind material. A torque member affixed to the hydraulic motor prevents rotation of the latter during actuation thereof, while permitting swinging of the reel to an access position for ease of loading and unloading. The frame and reel are extensible to accommodate material rolls of varying axial widths, and the tapered core of the reel may be removed from the latter for selective use of the reel without such core. The end retaining wheels of the reel are rotatable relative to one another on the axle of the reel, but the winding core projects between the spokes of the wheels at opposite ends of the core to transmit driving power from one of the wheels to the other for rotation of the same in unison when the axle is driven.

United States Patent [191 Chrisp WIRE WINDER Lynn E. Chrisp, Arnold, Nebr.

[73] Assignee: Chrisp Manufacturing Company, Lincoln, Nebr.

[22] Filed: Mar. 30, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 346,591

[75] Inventor:

Primary ExaminerEdward J. McCarthy Atlarney, Agent, or FirmSchmidt, Johnson, Hovey & Williams 1451 Feb. 11, 1975 [57] ABSTRACT A tractor mountable winder employs a variable speed hydraulic motor system which permits braking of the winding reel when material is payed out therefrom, as well as positive drive of the reel in a direction to wind material. A torque member affixed to the hydraulic motor prevents rotation of the latter during actuation thereof, while permitting swinging of the reel to an access position for ease of loading and unloading. The frame and reel are extensible to accommodate material rolls of varying axial widths, and the tapered core of the reel may be removed from the latter for selective use of the reel without such core. The end retaining wheels of the reel are rotatable relative to one another on the axle of the reel, but the winding core projects between the spokes of the wheels at opposite ends of the core to transmit driving power from one of the wheels to the other for rotation of the same in unison when the axle is driven.

12 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEDFEBI 1197s 3. 865.328

SHEET 2 0F 2 WIRE WINDER This invention relates to equipment for use in winding and unwinding lengths of material and, more particularly. to winding equipment which is especially adapted for mounting on the rear of a mobile implement, such as a tractor, for use in the installation or removal of wire fences.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a winder which may be attached tothe rear of amobile implement, such as by the three-point linkage of a tractor. in order to utilize the vehicle as a source of driving power for the winder, yet which may be operated by a person standing on the ground at the rear of the implement in order to remain in complete control of the winder at all stages of the winding operation.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of a variable speed hydraulic motor system for the winder which may be utilized not only in driving the reel of the winder for the winding of the material, but also may be utilized for braking the reel when the latter is rotated in the opposite direction as material is unwound from the reel.

An additional important object of this invention is the provision ofa hydraulic motor system which utilizes the existing hydraulic system of the implement to which the winder is attached.

A further important object of the present invention is to provide a unique torque bar mounting arrangement for the hydraulic motor which allows the motor to be directly coupled with the axle of the reel, yet permits the reel to be swung to an access position for loading or unloading purposes.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a special removable winding core for the reel so that the reel may be used with or without the core, depending upon the size of the central opening in the roll of material to be unwound.

A still further important object of this invention is to lower manufacturing costs and facilitate removal of one end retaining wheel of the reel by driving the removable wheel not through a keyed connection or the like with the axle of the reel, but through a noncomplex intercoupling of the winding core with a driven wheel of the reel and the removable wheel thereof.

An additional important object of the instant invention is to provide extensibility of the reel so that material rolls of various axial widths may be accommodated on the reel, and to provide means for tightly clamping the roll between the retaining wheels of the reel after the latter has been adjusted to accommodate the particular size of roll to be unwound.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an end elevational view of a winder constructed in accordance with the present invention mounted on the three-point linkage of a tractor, the tractor being only fragmentarily shown;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the winder wherein dashed lines represent an extended position of the winding reel and frame;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the winder, partially in cross section, illustrating the manner in which the reel may be swung to an access position and the components thereof separated for loading and/or unloading of a roll of material;

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the winder looking in the opposite direction from FIG. 1

and taken substantially through the center of the winder;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view through one ofthe side frame members illustrating the frame extension means of the winder;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, vertical, cross-sectional view of the variable speed control valve of the winder, the valve being shown in its idling position;

FIG. 7 is a horizontal cross-sectional view through the valve taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6; and

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are enlarged, schematic views of the valve illustrating its various working positions.

The winder has a generally rectangular frame 22 provided with a bifurcated upright 24 along one longitudinal side thereof which is mounted on the tractor 26 through the three-point hitch of the latter. The upper stabilizing link 28 of the three-point hitch is pivotally connected to upright 24 by a pivot 30 at the top of upright 24, and the two lower lifting links 32 (one only being shown) of the hitch are pivotally connected to the upright 24 by laterally projecting pins 34 adjacent the bottom of upright 24. Thus, the winder 20 is adapted for being supported in an above-ground position by the hydraulically controlled links 28 and 32 as shown in FIG. 1.

The frame 22 is elongated, having its longitudinal axis extending across the path of travel of the tractor 26, and has a pair of laterally spaced-apart, elongated pipes 36 and 38 which are structurally held in place by a pair of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending channel members 40 and 42 welded to the pipes 36 and 38. The upright 24 has a channel 44 (FIG. 4) which is fixed to the ends of frame channels 40 and 42 that project beyond pipe 38.

The frame 22 also includes an end assembly 46 consisting of a cross-channel'48 and a pair of longitudinally extending, short tubes 50 at opposite ends of cross-channel 48. Each of the tubes 50 is reduced in diameter with respect to the pipes 36 and 38 so that the tubes 50 may telescope within pipes 36 and 38 to provide variable extension of the frame 22 as required. The assembly 46 is held in its selected, adjusted position by virtue of a drawbolt unit 52 for each of the pipes 36 and 38. As shown best in FIG. 5, each unit 52 includes a long bolt 54 extending through the respective pipes 36 and 38 having an eyelet 56 at its innermost end which receives a pin 58 selectively placeable within holes 60 and 62 formed in each pipe 36 and 38. The opposite end of each bolt 54 threadably receives a nut 64 which bears against the proximal surface of a tube 50 to retain the assembly 46 against movement away from the ends of pipes 36 and 38. By virtue of the pair of holes 60 and 62 for each pipe 36 and 38, two major effective lengths of the frame 22 may be obtained (as illustrated in FIG. 2), while the threaded relationship of the nuts 64 with bolts 54 provides incremental adjustment of the frame 22 between such two major lengths. Further, by simply removing both pins 58 from the pipes 36 and 38, the entire end assembly 46 with units 52 may be separated from the remainder of frame 22 as illustrated in FIG. 3, wherein the assembly 46 is partly removed from pipes 36 and 38.

A winding reel, broadly denoted by the numeral 66, has an axle 68 which is rotatably supported by a pair of universal bearings 70 on channel 42 and cross-channel 48 of assembly 46. By virtue of the universal nature of the bearings 70, the axle 68 may be swung upwardly to axle 68, and a tapered winding core 76 which slips over axle 68 without attachment thereto and extends between the two retaining wheels 72 and 74. The tapered core 76 has a tubular, inner shaft 78 which freely receives the axle 68 for sliding movement therealong, and a plurality of axially extending. circumferentiallyspaced members 80 about shaft 78 that converge wheel 72 is approached. The members 80 extend outwardly beyond both ends of the shaft 78 for projection between the radially extending spoke elements 82 of the wheels 72 and 74, thereby transmitting driving power from wheel 72 to wheel 74 when the axle 68 is rotated.

The axle 68 extends beyond the outer.wheel 74 so that the latter may be moved toward and away from the inner wheel 72 to extend or shorten the axial length of reel 66 as determined by the position of assembly 46. When the assembly 46 is moved to its outer position, illustrated by dashed lines in FIG. 2, to extend frame 22, the outer wheel 74 may likewise be shifted along the axle 68 until abutting the outer bearing 70. The members 80 of core 76 should be of sufficient length to remain projected between the spokes 82 of wheels 72 and 74 when the latter is moved outwardly along axle 68 to its fullest extent.

it is important to note that the core 76 is not secured to axle 68 but is forced to rotate with the latter by virtue of the engagement of members 80 with the spokes 82 of the inner wheel 72 which is keyed to axle 68. Thus, it is a simple matter to slide the core 76 completely off of axle 68 when the assembly 46 is removed from the remainder of frame 22 and the outer wheel 74 is pulled from axle 68 as illustrated in FIG. 3. In this manner, the reel 66 may be utilized with axle 68 as the effective core thereof, such arrangement being especially useful for the unwinding of purchased rolls of fencing wire as will hereinafter be more fully explained.

A manually operable wire guide 84 may be moved to-and-fro along the pipe 36 by a handle 86 during a winding operation so that wire or other material being wound about reel 66 is evenly distributed onto core 76 by the two upright projections 88 of guide 84.

The axle 68 also extends for a distance beyond the inner wheel 72 and its adjacent bearing 70 to support a hydraulic motor 90 having its drive shaft 92 operably coupled with axle 68 by a coupling sleeve 94. A torque bar 96 is rigidly secured to the casing of motor 90 and extends outwardly therefrom in opposite, lateral directions in underlying relationship to the pipes 36 and 38. The ends of bar 96 are not in any way attached to the pipes 36 and 38 so that the motor 90 is free to swing about the inner bearing 70 along with reel 66 when the latter is placed in its access position as shown in FIG. 3. The torque bar 96 thus serves to prevent rotation of the motor 90 when the latter is actuated by pressurized fluid directed thereto because such rotation of the motor 90 is resisted by the engagement of the opposite ends of torque bar 96 with the lower stretches of pipes connection exists between torque bar 96 and the frame Operation of the motor is controlled by a special hydraulic system which utilizes an existing hydraulic mechanism on the tractor 26, including a pressure relief valve 98. The relief valve 98 controls the flow of hydraulic fluid both to and from the pump (not shown) associated with tractor 26 and may be selectively placed in positions to close both the high-pressure and return lines of the pump, to open both lines, or to reverse the roles of the return and high-pressure lines. The valve 98 is pressure-sensitive so that the same automatically closes the return and high-pressure lines when a predetermined back pressure (normally 1,800 to 2,200 psi) is created in the high-pressure line.

While valves such as valve 98 are normally provided as standard equipment on modern tractors and are therefore not new in and of themselves, it will be appreciated from the description which follows that a valve having the described capability of valve 98 is an important component in the combination about to be described which allows the winder 20 to operate in its highly desirable manner.

The valve 98 controls a high-pressure line 100 leading to motor 90 and a return line 102 leading from motor 90 in the manner above described. A special variable speed valve 104 is interposed between lines 100 and 102 and the motor 90 so that the relief valve 98, in effect, controls the fluid flow to and from valve 104, while valve 104 controls the fluid flow to and from motor 90. Thus, when fluid is made available to valve 104 by the relief valve 98, the reel 66 may be operated or rendered idle as determined by the valve 104.

As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the variable speed valve 104 has a valve body 106 provided with an elongated bore 108 therethrough which rotatably receives a spool 110 having an operating handle 112 secured to one end thereof. Body 106 has an inlet port 114 for communicating high-pressure line 100 with bore 108, and a pair of outlet ports 116 and 118, also communicating with bore 108. The inlet port 114 is disposed between outlet ports 116 and 118 and is spaced 90 from each of the latter.

The outlet port 116 is coupled with the inlet 120 (FIGS. 1 and 2) of motor 90, while the other outlet port 118 is coupled through a bypass connection 122 to the return line 102. The outlet 124 of motor 90 (FIG. 3) is, in turn, coupled with bypass connection 122 so that both outlet port 118 of valve 102 and outlet 124 of motor 90 communicate with return line 102.

The spool 110 has three radially extending, intersecting fluid passages 126, 128 and 130 which cooperate with a transverse channel 132 common to all of the passages 126, 128 and 130 to control the direction and volume of fluid flow through valve 104 as determined by the rotative position of spool 110. The channel 132 has a smaller cross-sectional width than the diameter of the passages 126-130 so that each of the latter retains its function as a passage independent of the others, but at the same time, the passages 126-130 are interconnected with one another about the periphery of spool 110. Such size differential between the passages 126-130 and channel 132 coupled with the interconnection of the passages 126-130 about the periphery of spool 110 is important to the smooth, trouble-free operation of valve 104 and affects the amount of rotation of spool 110 required to reach full-winding speed as will hereinafter be described.

OPERATION The operation of winder may best'be understood by assuming firstthat a winding, rather than unwinding, operation is to occur. The reel 66 is disposed in its normal length as indicated by the solidlines in FIG. 2, with the pins 58 disposed in the holes 60. The core 76 is utilized so that winding will occur about core 76 rather than about axle 68.

With the handle 112 of spool 110 aligned with the high-pressure line 100 and pointed toward the tractor 26, the spool 110 is disposed as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 in readiness for receiving fluid from the tractor 26. Actuation of relief valve 98 to open the lines 100 and 102 causes fluid under pressure to enter valve 104, part of the fluid being directed to the inlet 120 of motor .90 through outlet 116 by way of channel 132 and passage 128, while another part of the fluid is diverted to the return line 102 by way of channel 132, passage 130, outlet 118, and bypass connection 122. If the resistance offered by reel 66 is low, the fluid entering motor 90 will cause rotation of reel 66 so that fluid is simultaneously exhausted from motor 90 through outlet 124 into return line 102.

However, if the reel 66 offers substantial resistance to rotation, such as is the case when wire to be wound on core 76 resists such winding, then the reel 66 will remain idle as fluid takes the path of least resistance through the bypass connection 122 and return line 102 instead of through motor 90.

To initiate winding, the handle 112 is progressively turned in a clockwise direction viewing FIGS. 2 and 8-10 to cause a progressively less amount of fluid to bypass motor 90 until handle 112 has been rotated a full 90, at which time bypassing of the fluid is completely shut off. This may best be seen by comparing FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 wherein it is shown that the outlet 118 is progressively closed as clockwise rotation of spool 110 is carried out until, in FIG. 9, outlet 118 is completely blocked. Thus, during clockwise rotation of handle 112 and spool 110 between the positions of FIGS. 7 and 9, a proportionately greater amount of fluid is progressively directed to outlet 116 than to outlet 118, hence causing continuous speed increase in the reel 66.

Viewing FIG. 8, the importance of channel 132 is clearly seen. With the spool 110 in this position (45 from its idle position of FIG. 7), the passages 125, 128 and 130 are closed by the proximal wall of bore 108. Thus, without the existence of channel 132, highpressure fluid entering port 114 would haveno escape, causing a buildup of back pressure in line 100 and immediately actuating relief valve 98 to close both lines 100 and 102. Thus, at halfway through the speed increase of reel 66, the valve 104 would either jam or cause the delivery of fluid to motor 90 to cease completely. However, with the provision of channel 132, it may be seen that port 114 is still in communication with port 116 when the spool 110 is in its FIG. 8 position, thereby permitting continued operation of the reel 66 at the speed associated with the FIG. 8 position, as well as the even greater speeds when the spool 110 is rotated beyond the FIG. 8 position.

As the spool 110 is rotated beyond the FIG. 8 position toward that of FIG. 9, the outlet 118 remains closed so that all fluid is directed through motor 90. During this 45 of travel, the importance of the size differential between channel 132 and the passages l26130 becomes evident since, without such differential, full winding speed would be obtained at the FIG. 8 position. Because the width of channel 132 is less than the diameter of passages 126-130 however, a progressively greater amount of open area is presented to port 116 as the spool is rotated beyond the FIG. 8 position to the FIG. 9 position. As shown in FIG. 8, only a section of the channel 132 is exposed to port 116 in the position represented in FIG. 8. Neither of the passages 126 and 128 is exposed. However, as further clockwise rotation of spool 110 is effected, the passage 126 is progressively brought into alignment with port 116, and since passage 126 is larger than channel 132, a progressively greater amount of fluid can be displaced through valve 104 and into motor 90, hence increasing the speed of reel 66.

As the wire or other material is wound upon core 76 by the rotating reel 66,the wire guide 84 may be reciprocated along pipe 36 by the operator controlling valve 104. In this manner the wire may be evenly distributed upon core 76 rather than collecting in the middle or at either end thereof.

When it is then desired to stop'reel 66, a quick turn of handle 112 in a clockwise direction viewing FIG. 2, causes the port 114 to be completely blocked, hence creating back pressure in line and actuating relief valve 98 to close lines 100 and 102. Therefore, the driving power to motor 90 is terminated and reel 66 stopped. This condition may be best seen by examining FIG. 10 wherein it is shown that while passages 130 and 128 are open to ports 116 and 118 respectively, port 114 is completely closed by spool 110. With the relief valve 98 closing lines 100 and 102 the handle 112 may then be returned to its original position pointed toward tractor 26 to again place the valve 104 in condition for idling when relief valve 98 is returned to its open condition. I

In addition to providing variable speed drive for reel 66, the hydraulic system associated with winder 20 also affords hydraulic braking of reel 66 when the winder 20 is used to unwind a roll of wire. To this end, the relief valve 98 may be placed in its closed position precluding thedelivery of pressurized fluid to motor 90 and the return of fluid from the same. Then, by turning the spool and handle 112 to the idle position of FIGS. 6 and 7, the reel 66 may be rotated against the resistance of fluid looping through valve 104, motor 90 and bypass connection 122. Because the lines 100 and 102 are closed by relief valve 98, no fluid is allowed to escape through lines 100 and 102 but is, instead, trapped within the loop above defined. In this manner, the wire or other material may be unwound from reel 66 at a continuous, steady pace without fear that reel 66 will overspin" and tangle the wire as it is payed out.

It will also appear that such braking action could be carried out with the spool 110 in the position of FIG. 10 with valve 98 remaining closed. In this condition the loop through valve 104, motor 90 and bypass connection 122 is again presented with fluid unable to escape through the lines 100 and 102.

When a roll of material has filled reel 66 and it is desired to remove the roll from winder 20, it is but necessary to remove the pins 58 from the pipes 36 and 38, hence allowing assembly 46 to be removed from the remainder of frame 22. This allows the reel 66 to be tipped up if desired, as shown in FIG. 3, whereupon the outer wheel 74 may be slid off axle 68 and the roll with the core 76 similarly removed. After the roll is on the ground, it is a simple matter to withdraw the tapered core 76 from the roll. The above process may then be reversed to ready the winder for the next winding operation.

It has been found that in many instances a roll of wire or the like tends to expand axially after it has been stored for a period of time. Therefore, it is quite possible that a roll formed with reel 66 at the length indicated by the solid lines in H6. 2 could not be easily replaced on winder 20 for unwinding with the reel 66 at such original length. Therefore, by removing the pins 58 from the holes 60 and replacing them in holes 62 when the assembly 46 is again positioned on the remainder of frame 22, the effective length of frame 22 and reel 66 may be extended a sufficient amount to accommodate the expanded roll. Should the major extension thus effected be excessive, the nuts 64 of units 52 may be turned in a direction to draw outer wheel 74 against the roll, hence firmly clamping the same between the wheels 72 and 74. The wire may then be payed out under full control without wobbling of the outer wheel 74.

In some instances it may be necessary or desirable to unwind a purchased roll of material rather than one previously wound on reel 66 using core 76. Such purchased rolls may have a central opening of substantially less diameter than the effective diameter of core 76, thereby making its use prohibitive. In these situations it is only necessary to remove the core 76 from axle 68 by sliding core 76 off the end of axle 68 before placing the purchased roll on reel 66. Axle 68 thereby serves as the unwinding core for the roll, and the outer wheel 74 may be firmly clamped against the roll by appropriate adjustment of the nuts 64.

The importance of the core 76, its relationship to the wheels 72 and 74, and the manner in which wheel 74 is mounted, may thus be readily seen. During winding operations the core 76 serves not only as a base upon which the material may be wound, but also as a means for transmitting driving power from the inner wheel 72 to the outer wheel 74 by virtue of the members 80 which project between the spokes 82 of wheels 72 and 74. Such an arrangement allows the outer wheel 74 to be merely journaled on axle 68 rather than keyed thereto, the latter significantly increasing the difficulty with which wheel 74 may be removed and increasing the manufacturing costs of reel 66 as well. Furthermore, the substantial projection of members 80 of core 76 into the wheels 72 and 74 allows the transmission of driving power therebetween in all adjusted positions of wheel 74.

In addition, the torque bar 96 plays an important role in the operation of winder 20 in view of its ability to preclude rotation of motor 90 when the latter is fluidactuated, while at the same time allowing the reel 66 to be swung to an access position for loading and unloading. Moreover, the lack of any positive connection between the torque bar 96 and the pipes 36 and 38 allows the motor 90 to compensate for any axial misalignment between its drive shaft 92 and the axle 68 when the same are interconnected by coupling sleeve 94. lnstead of any misalignment being borne by the bearings 70 in the form of stress and strain, the motor 90 is free to wobble to the extent necessary. Still further, the torque rod 96 prevents the roll-laden reel 66 from swinging downwardly in a clockwise direction once assembly 46 has been removed from the remainder of frame 22.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A material winder comprising:

a frame;

a winding reel having an axle defining the axis of rotation of the reel;

means mounting said reel on the frame for rotation about said axis and for swinging movement between a winding position and a loading position;

a prime mover supported by and operably coupled with said axle of the reel for driving the latter and for swinging therewith during movement between said positions; and

a rigid torque member projecting in opposite directions from said prime mover for engagement with adjacent portions of the frame to preclude rotation of the prime mover when the latter is actuated.

2. A material winder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said prime mover is fluid pressure actuated.

3. A material winder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said reel is provided with a pair of spaced material roll retainers, at least one of which is removably mounted on the axle for loading and unloading of the reel, said reel being further provided with a winding core removably supported between said retainers in coaxial relationship therewith. 4. A material winder as claimed in claim 3, wherein a certain of said retainers is fixed to the axle for rotation thereby and the other retainer is freely rotatable on the axle, said core being operably couplable with both of said retainers for transmitting driving power from said certain retainer to said other retainer.

5. A material winder as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of said retainers has a number of radially extending elements associated therewith, said core having means projecting between said elements for receiving and transmitting driving power.

6. A material winder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said reel is provided with a pair of normally spacedapart, relatively axially shiftable material retainers for accommodating material rolls of different axial widths on the reel, said frame being extensible to accommodate repositioning of said retainers with respect to one another.

7. A material winder as claimed in claim 6, wherein said frame includes a pair of relatively shiftable sections providing said extensibility of the frame, said sections being provided with means adjustably interconnecting the same for drawing said sections relatively toward one another to clamp a material roll between said retainers.

8. In a material winder:

a frame including a pair of relatively extensible sections;

an extensible winding reel supported jointly and rotatably by said sections in any one of a plurality of selected lengths for accommodating material rolls of different axial widths; and

means releasably holding said sections of the frame in a selected extended relationship with respect to one another,

said reel including a pair of normally spaced-apart,

relatively rotatable roll retainers and a roll core coaxial with said retainers and operably couplable therewith for transmitting driving power from one of theretainers to the other. 9. In a wire winder as claimed in Claim 8, wherein saidholding means is operable to progressively shift said'section's relatively toward one another for clamping of a roll between said retainers.

10. In a wire winder as claimed in claim 8, wherein saidretainers are axially shiftable with respect to one another, said core having means projecting axially therefrom for continued driving engagement with the retainers in all selected axial positions thereof.

11. In a wire winder as claimed in claim 8, wherein said reel includes an axle removably receiving at least one of said retainers, said roll core being removably mounted between said retainers.

12. A reel for use in a material winder, said reel comprising:

a rotatable axle,

a first material roll retainer mounted on the axle;

a second roll retainer mounted on the axle in spaced opposition to the first retainer for receiving a roll of material between the retainers; and

a roll core removably mounted between said retainers in coaxial relationship therewith for selective use of the reel with or without said core,

said second retainer being removably mounted on the axle.

said first retainer being secured to the axle for rotation thereby and said second retainer being rotatable relative to the axle, said core being operably couplable with said retainers for transmitting driving power from said first retainer to the second. 

1. A material winder comprising: a frame; a winding reel having an axle defining the axis of rotation of the reel; means mounting said reel on the frame for rotation about said axis and for swinging movement between a winding position and a loading position; a prime mover supported by and operably coupled with said axle of the reel for driving the latter and for swinging therewith during movement between said positions; and a rigid torque member projecting in opposite directions from said prime mover for engagement with adjacent portions of the frame to preclude rotation of the prime mover when the latter is actuated.
 2. A material winder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said prime mover is fluid pressure actuated.
 3. A material winder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said reel is provided with a pair of spaced material roll retainers, at least one of which is removably mounted on the axle for loading and unloading of the reel, said reel being further provided with a winding core removably supported between said retainers in coaxial relationship therewith.
 4. A material winder as claimed in claim 3, wherein a certain of said retainers is fixed to the axle for rotation thereby and the other retainer is freely rotatable on the axle, said core being operably couplable with both of said retainers for transmitting driving power from said certain retainer to said other retainer.
 5. A material winder as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of said retainers has a number of radially extending elements associated therewith, said core having means projecting between said elements for receiving and transmitting driving power.
 6. A material winder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said reel is provided with a pair of normally spaced-apart, relatively axially shiftable material retainers for accommodating material rolls of different axial widths on the reel, said frame being extensible to accommodate repositioning of said retainers with respect to one another.
 7. A material winder as claimed in claim 6, wherein said frame includes a pair of relatively shiftable sections providing said extensibility of the frame, said sections being provided with means adjustably interconnecting the saMe for drawing said sections relatively toward one another to clamp a material roll between said retainers.
 8. In a material winder: a frame including a pair of relatively extensible sections; an extensible winding reel supported jointly and rotatably by said sections in any one of a plurality of selected lengths for accommodating material rolls of different axial widths; and means releasably holding said sections of the frame in a selected extended relationship with respect to one another, said reel including a pair of normally spaced-apart, relatively rotatable roll retainers and a roll core coaxial with said retainers and operably couplable therewith for transmitting driving power from one of the retainers to the other.
 9. In a wire winder as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said holding means is operable to progressively shift said sections relatively toward one another for clamping of a roll between said retainers.
 10. In a wire winder as claimed in claim 8, wherein said retainers are axially shiftable with respect to one another, said core having means projecting axially therefrom for continued driving engagement with the retainers in all selected axial positions thereof.
 11. In a wire winder as claimed in claim 8, wherein said reel includes an axle removably receiving at least one of said retainers, said roll core being removably mounted between said retainers.
 12. A reel for use in a material winder, said reel comprising: a rotatable axle, a first material roll retainer mounted on the axle; a second roll retainer mounted on the axle in spaced opposition to the first retainer for receiving a roll of material between the retainers; and a roll core removably mounted between said retainers in coaxial relationship therewith for selective use of the reel with or without said core, said second retainer being removably mounted on the axle, said first retainer being secured to the axle for rotation thereby and said second retainer being rotatable relative to the axle, said core being operably couplable with said retainers for transmitting driving power from said first retainer to the second. 